Like four-and-twenty thunder-storms the howitzers roared together, and had not the Orange County veterans forgotten to put in any balls, there is reason to believe that some windows would have been broken. Another discharge, however, was more successful, as it knocked the top off the chimney.
The Southern Confederacy appeared at the window again, and says he:
"If you fellows don't quit that racket down there, you'll irritate me pretty soon."
This significant remark caused a sudden cessation of the bombardment, and Samyule hastily called a council of war.
"Gentlemen," says Samyule, "a new issue has arisen. If we irritate the Southern Confederacy, all hopes of future Union and reconstruction may be destroyed."
A chap who was a conservative democrat suddenly flamed up at this, and says he:
"The abolitionists caused this terrible war, and it is our business, as no-party men, to finish it Constitutionally. If we irritate this man, no power on earth will ever make him submit to reconstruction. Ask him."
Here the democratic chap took a large taste of tobacco, and sighed for his country.
"Mr. Davis," says Samyule to the Confederacy at the window, "if we do not irritate you, will you consent to be reconstructed?"
"Reconstructed!" says the Confederacy, thoughtfully; "reconstructed! Ah!" says he, "you mean, will I consent to be born again?"